The Athletics announced today that first baseman/designated hitter Jesús Aguilar has been released. That indicates he cleared waivers after being designated for assignment last week.
The fact that no club was willing to grab Aguilar is hardly surprising given his contract and recent performance. The A’s signed him to a one-year, $3MM deal this winter for a bit of veteran presence on a team largely consisting of younger players. However, the 32-year-old hit just .221/.281/.385 through 115 plate appearances for a wRC+ of 83. He has some third base experience but is mostly just an option at first base these days, making that production all the more untenable.
Any club who claimed Aguilar off waivers would have been responsible for the remainder of that contract. But now that none of them have done so and he’s been released, the A’s will remain on the hook for it. That will allow any of the 29 other clubs to sign him and pay him just the prorated league minimum for any time spent on the active roster, with that amount subtracted from what Oakland pays.
Despite the rough season, it’s possible that some club decides to take a chance on him with the low financial commitment. He still hit well with the platoon advantage this year, slashing .280/.362/.520 against lefties but just .167/.196/.259 against righties. He’s also not too far removed from being a solid everyday option, as he hit 22 home runs with the Marlins in 2021 and batted .261/.329/.459 for a wRC+ of 111. Perhaps a club looking for a cheap bench bat that can hit lefties will find a spot on their roster for Aguilar.
Would be an upgrade over Casas for the Red Sox right now on a league minimum deal, proven 30+ HR power, and just about any new uniform that isn’t Oakland should create a morale spark for Aguilar…
That’s exactly what I was thinking… but then what do you do with Dalbec? Too much bad depth.
Trade dalbec to someone who “sees something in him the Red Sox missed” rangers did a great job of this with Adolis Garcia, albeit he got less than 20 MLB at bats befor being sold to the rangers then DFAed later by the rangers before blowing up… Oh and being sold in MLB is called traded for cash considerations…
No one wants Dalbec
He might be done…or close to it.
down bad when u get released by the A’s
Their season can only get worse.
Imagine, they dumped JESUS !!
What’s the over/under of players on the A’s 40 man that are still there when their in Las Vegas?
20 and the under.
With the amount of fans the A’s are getting, Las Vegas Ballpark,, home of Aviators wouldn’t be bad. keep Oakland but make them the aaa team, make the las vegas aviators the mlb team, trade rosters, create new stadium in Oakland for triple a Athletics, expand Vegas Ballpark once team starts making money. Easy stupid solution
The over under in Vegas? Let’s ask the inhabitants of Maccu Piccu? Oh wait thats right, they all died… Why do scientists think they all died again?
I’m getting old. I still recall his first half of the 2018 season with Milwaukee when he crushed the ball. And then….
Can’t believe that was 5 years ago.
He basically carried that team on his back for the month of May when everyone was getting hurt. That was our year. Everything was magic that year until Justin Turner hit that bomb in the NLCS. Maybe someday. Maybe someday.
It is possible the Brewers bring him back on a minor league deal with those numbers against LHP. Unless he likes his chances getting back to MLB with another team, I could see him getting a week or two audition until Rufs ready to return
If you cannot bring value to the A’s you might need a career switch.
Jesus is nothing special. Jesus is just alright, alright.
Oh yeah!
Since the A’s are the functional equivalent of a PCL team, this is basically a MiLB transaction. 🙂
He should consider a position switch, maybe become a lights-out closer. Jesus Saves.
Mariners! Platoon bat dh/1B. Cut Pollock! This is our Santana for 2023
It’s smart business to pick up a low cost vet her and there in a rebuilding year, teams are always looking at the deadline. Worst case this happens most cases they get traded for lotto ticket type prospects, best case you catch lightning in a bottle. Either way you generally get prospects for cash u had to/should have spent anyway.
Maybe the couple of good years he had in the NL with Milwaukee and their NL East rival, the Marlins, will tempt the Phillies? Could be a good platoon partner with Hall, who is due back shortly.
Personally, I was hoping the Phillies would sign Eric Hosmer. Mostly because Hosmer doesn’t strike out a lot. JMHO, but I don’t believe Hall, Clemens or the newly minted Drew Ellis are the answer.
IF a team that on pace for the worst season in baseball cannot use him – I cannot believe any other team would need him either. He is nothing more than a well paid bench filler.